8.24.2007

Knowing Jesus' Voice. John 10:

Yesterday we looked at a passage that explained what it meant for us to know Jesus, and today we're going to look at one that shows how Jesus knows us. Jesus has a vested interest in us, so much so that he was willing to lay down his life for us. He is trustworthy and true. His voice is sweet and familiar to those that know him. The shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep follow the shepherd.

John 10:7-18
7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Questions
1. What does it mean to know Jesus' voice?
2. Why is it comforting to know Jesus is your shepherd?
3. What did you learn about Jesus in this passage?

Want to read more? Click here for the rest of John 10.

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